BMW's

[Jamie.]

Hello fellow internet users.

Are BMW's as expensive to run/maintain as I am led to believe? Does anyone here have one? Particularly the 316i.

What are they like to buy used? Are there any major things to look out for?

Cheers.

[Cigaro]

[craigie b]

BMW's are renowned for their high build quality. They are extremely well engineered vehicles. My friend has an M3 and it moves like a rocket ship.

Servicing and tyres are pricey but in general they are extremely reliable cars. Their also fairly economical with fuel too unless you get a sporty number with large engine.

In saying that, due to competition from companies like Ford and Honda, BMW have had to make their cars more competitive. So in reducing prices the build quality has noticeable declined.

Their still nice cars but to be honest I think their very common and would not have one if it was my money.

[D O G]

[Finglonga]

As above why?

316 big heavy German metal with tincy wincy engine.
____________________
Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[Marcg868]

Be different, every tom dick and harry has a bloody BMW, yes they maybe well built cars. But give me an Audi instead. Hell even a VW Golf.

Just dont buy a shitty 316i.
____________________
JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[Blau Zedong]

I've got a E36 316 saloon, P plate. Was the right car for the cash. Other than a battery and a couple of tyres has been perfectly reliable. Has stuff like climate control which is rare as f@@k on the 316. Handles very well (too much grip for the engine makes it impossible to crash). They do fail MOT's on suspension bushes and some are starting to rot if really abused. Don't buy a 2.5 or 2.8 unless they've had an engine under warranty (Nikasil Bores).

I wouldn't drive anything else as far as value for money goes, after the BM front wheel drive cars handle like shite.

Want a 318IS but good ones are serious cash (4K) which I'd rather spend on bike bits.
____________________
18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[Phoenix]

If you can't afford a straight six 320 and are worried about costs and economy, get a 325 Turbo diesel. It's a 6 cylinder, they're cheap to buy, cheap to run and quick, though they're scary in the snow.

[SonicTheHedge...]

If you get a good one it'll be stonking, a bad one will be an arse.
The build quality's good for older ones - I've got a '98 318IS 4-door that's done 115,000 miles and still runs sweetly.

In the years I've had it it's chewed through tyres and front brake pads (my driving style), a couple of batteries, and a set of bushings generally all-round.
Been very reliable - Murphy's law, it only let me down once, and that was cos a £6 sensor went pop and the ECU didn't want to risk running the engine.

Don't knock the 4-banger - the 1.9 16V's quite nice, in my opinion, and properly provoked I've got enough power to play silly buggers, even on 225 width tyres.
(On a closed course, officer...)

Granted, I'd still like more cylinders. I'd be tempted by an M3 Evo, but most of them have been chavved up horribly so I may set my sights on an older M5 one day...

Edit: Oh, and don't get them serviced at An Official BMW Garage if you can avoid it. Your wallet will cry.
____________________
Previous: '00 G2 Bandit 600 Naked. Now: '08 BMW GS Adventure.

[Villers]

[Cigaro]

Why not get an (older) merc?

A lot tougher and not as twattish...

[Finglonga]

[Robby]

At least go for a 318. A 316 will feel underpowered, a 318 should quite well balanced. The four cylinder cars are meant to handle better than the sixes too, less weight up front.

[Dom_]

My mate had a 316 compact for about 18 months. Build quality was average at best. Had a few bits go wrong with it but it wasnt a bad car.

As for performance it did grip nicely and did an indicated 60 in around 10ish seconds. Top speed an indicated 125. As for not being powerful enough to drift, thats boll0cks. I've been in the passenger seat when doing laps of a roundabout completely sideways. Just needs to be wet.
Rear wheel drive cars feel better than fwd no matter how much power they make imo.

They are as expensive to maintain as any other car, oil, filters and plugs cost the same. Fuel consumption on the 1.6 isn't bad, he got more miles per £10 than i did on my 1.4 civic.

Theres hardly any E36 beemers round here anymore, i see more golfs than anything else.

[cqueen]

Get yourself a nice phat Saab, lovin mine